ABOUT THE DIVISION OF INDUSTRIAL COMPLIANCE


The Division of Industrial Compliance is a division of the Ohio Department of Commerce.

Our mission:

"Uphold Ohio’s regulatory requirements through prompt, efficient, customer service."

Our Vision:

"Ensuring a safe environment and improving the quality of life for Ohioans."


The Superintendent of Industrial Compliance is appointed by the Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce. Assisted by a Chief Legal Council, the Superintendent administers the activities of the Division of Industrial Compliance. The Division's functions are divided into the following sections:

These sections are supported by both a fiscal section and an office administration section.

Senior Leader: Superintendent Gary L. Schaeffer


We serve two primary types of customers:



Bureau of Building Code Compliance

The Bureau of Building Code Compliance reviews building plans to insure compliance with the Ohio Building Code for new construction projects, along with major renovations, additions, or alterations to existing structures.

The Bureau has jurisdiction over all State universities, State-funded projects, State-owned properties, and all structures other than one-, two-, or three-family dwellings, except where local certified building departments have jurisdiction.

Applications with architectural drawings for plan review may be sent by mail, e-mail, or dropped off at our office in Reynoldsburg. Smaller projects can utilize our walk-in and same-day review service. Walk-in appointments are scheduled in advance between 7:30 AM and 2:00 PM daily.

Inspections

The Inspection Section ensures that construction, electrical wiring, and plumbing proceed in accordance with the Ohio Building Code. The duties of the Bureau include inspection of new construction, and of additions and alterations to existing structures.

This section contains the Building Inspection Section, Electrical Inspection Section, and Plumbing Section.

Plumbing Section

The Plumbing Section enforces the Ohio Plumbing Code and certifies plumbing inspectors. These inspectors help maintain a safe water source by enforcing proper design & installation of water waste and vent piping systems. The Plumbing Section reviews plumbing plans before issuing permits and dispatches inspectors to enforce code compliance.

Backflow Program

This program helps protect the environment and safeguards the potable water system for all the citizens of Ohio. Backflow refers to the unintentional reversal of flow in a potable water system that may result in contamination or pollution to the system. To ensure that services are provided by qualified professionals, persons who test or repair backflow prevention assemblies or perform cross connection survey inspections are certified by the Division of Industrial Compliance. Certificates are issued only after an applicant has completed the required training course and successfully passed a written examination as well as a practical exam.

Bureau of Operations and Maintenance

The Bureau of Operations and Maintenance is responsible for the proper operation and maintenance of the structures and critical systems within Ohio's "built environment." The Bureau of Operations and Maintenance oversees critical systems such as elevators and boiler operations and maintenance. The Bureau is also responsible for the regulation of bedding, upholstered furniture, and stuffed toy products. Additionally, the Bureau provides for the licensing and/or registration of boiler contractors, boiler operators, steam engineers, boiler and elevator inspectors, ski/tramways, and roller rinks.

Bedding and Upholstered Furniture Section

The Bedding Section protects Ohio consumers and retailers from misrepresentation of filling materials in articles of bedding, upholstered furniture, and stuffed toys. Chemists perform analytical tests and law label validation on regulated articles. The section's laboratory is in Reynoldsburg, OH. The section requires registration of manufacturers, importers, distributors, and wholesalers whose articles are offered for sale or for use in Ohio. Additionally, the section regulates secondhand dealers offering used products in Ohio. A component of the secondhand license is proper sanitization and labeling of regulated articles prior to their being offered for sale.

Boiler Section

The Boiler Section enforces the rules relating to inspection, construction, installation, and repair of operating boilers. All boilers, with some exceptions, must be inspected annually. These inspections are both internal and external examinations of the boilers and all operating aspects of them. Both State-employed inspectors and special inspectors (employed by insurance companies) perform the inspections. If a boiler is unsafe or does not meet the required safety criteria, the superintendent may order its operation to cease until the necessary corrective action is made. When a boiler meets all safety standards outlined in the Revised and Administrative Rules, a Certificate of Operation is issued.

Elevator Section

The Elevator Inspection Section promotes safety in Ohio by performing semi-annual inspections of passenger, freight, special service, tower, coal mine, and handicap elevators. Additionally, escalators, dumbwaiters, stage-lifts, and belt-type man-lifts fall within the jurisdiction of the Section. There are nearly 31,000 elevator devices tracked in the section’s database. The Elevator Inspection Section’s field inspectors are certified under the ASME Q.E.I. criteria. The cities of Cleveland and Cincinnati provide their own inspections and are not regulated by this Section. Ohio enforces the revised American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME A17.1) code for elevators, which includes provisions for special purpose personnel elevators, as well as the ASME A18.1 standard for platform lifts and stairway chair lifts. Please see the section’s web site for specific information.

Licensing and Certification Section

Within the Licensing and Certification Section, the Steam Engineers Section is responsible for conducting examinations and licensing of persons who qualify as stationary steam engineers and boiler operators. Without a license, no person may legally perform the duties relating to the operation of stationary steam engines or stationary steam boilers over 30 horsepower (over 22.37 kilowatts). Licensed stationary steam engineers and boiler operators must have knowledge on a variety of subjects relating to power plant systems. The State of Ohio Stationary Steam Engineers License Examinations are designed to determine if individuals have such knowledge and skill to operate steam equipment in a safe and effective manner.

The Licensing and Certification Section also oversees the licensing and/or registration of Boiler and Elevator Inspectors, Boiler Contractors, Roller Rinks, and Ski and Tramway equipment.

Board of Building Appeals

The Board of Building Appeals reviews appeals of adjudication orders issued by the Bureau of Construction Compliance or a certified local or county building department. The board may reverse, modify, or repeal an order of the enforcing agency if the Board finds the order to be contrary to a fair interpretation or application of the governing laws or rules.

Board of Building Standards

The Board of Building Standards formulates and adopts rules governing the erection, construction, repair, alteration, and maintenance of all buildings or classes of buildings specified in Section 3781.06 of the Ohio Revised Code. The board also governs the installation of equipment and materials used in these buildings.

The board is the State entity that adopts administrative rules for Ohio's Building Code, including provisions concerning pressure piping, boilers, and elevators. The mission of the board is to ensure building safety. In addition, the board certifies local building code enforcement departments and their personnel and considers all petitions for changes to the existing codes.

Industrialized Unit Section

Industrialized units are structures or parts of one or more structures built away from the site of intended use. This necessitates inspection at the manufacturer's locations rather than their construction sites. The Industrialized Unit Section (I.U.) evaluates a manufacturer's construction documents to insure compliance with the Ohio Building Code. Inspectors from the Industrialized Unit Section (I.U.) or inspectors from a third party inspection agency perform plant evaluation inspections. The inspectors from the third party inspection agency must be certified by the Ohio Board of Building Standards.

Historical Boilers Licensing Board

The Historical Boilers Licensing Board ensures public safety through the adoption of rules governing the criteria that inspectors of historical boilers shall utilize in determining the safe operation of historical boilers. The board also approves historical boiler operator courses and issues operator licenses to those individuals qualified to operate historical boilers in public.

Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board

The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board issues State qualification licenses to qualified electrical, plumbing, hydronics, HVAC, and refrigeration contractors. The board is responsible for developing and administering a program of testing, licensing, and continuing education for these five trades. Possession of these licenses exempts the holder from taking city or county examinations for contractor licensing. The board's Continuing Education Program updates licensed contractors about new developments, procedures, equipment, or products affecting their businesses, allowing them to perform quality work for Ohio residents.

Roller Skating Rink

The Division of Industrial Compliance registers roller skating rinks according to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4171.

Ski Tramway Board

The Ski Tramway Board ensures public safety with the construction, maintenance, and mechanical operations of passenger tramways at Ohio's ski areas according to the Ohio Revised Code 4169.01


The Division of Industrial Compliance is fully funded through annual renewal fees paid by licensees, application processing fees, certification fees, and registration fees. The Division does not receive funding from the general revenue fund. As a result, this division operates like a private business enterprise, recovering costs through fees and assessments for its services. Nevertheless, the Division of Industrial Compliance is subject to the same budgeting and expense reporting requirements as other State agencies and makes a conscious ongoing effort to minimize expenses.